My game plan has been coming along slowly. I have implemented technology as a strategy to aid students to seek information on their own. Using their journals they are required to find tutorials or online self-help sites that will help them correct their errors on the last assessment. They are then going to write the URL’s in their journals with the corrected problems and a brief summary of how they learned to correct their mistakes.
Keeping with the original lesson, which was to create a system of inequalities based on each students daily recommended allotment of calories, fat, carbs, and protein, we are seeking information on these nutritional values for the items served for lunch in our cafe. Some students were successful in finding the information on-line, one students brought a nutrition book into class. I have to say that the discussions have been very interesting. They are debating how much of each category one should have and now recognize the varying degrees based on each student’s weight, activity level, whether they are interested in losing or maintaining weight. I would love to work with the nutrition class on this activity.
I have modified the action plan many times since its origination. I am hoping that my modification will allow for each student to make their graphs and lunch choices personal and unique to themselves. I am also hoping they will proudly share their work and be able to use this information in their lives.
I have learned through this experience, is that allowing students the freedom to create individual projects may not have been so difficult after all. The entire class is doing a linear programming problem, using Internet resources, text, graphing calculators, graph paper, etc. They are allowed to choose technology over paper as discussed in our learning video and the choice does not force them in any given direction.
The BIG question is ……. Will this lesson work out in the end. What pitfalls am I not anticipating. Will the lunch nutrition data work with their feasible regions? I hope it will. I have decided to tell my class that this is the first time doing this type of performance based assignment and we are to focus on the process and the mathematical concepts involved. Perhaps it will not work out and then the student will be accountable to explain why this is so.
Love to hear your suggestions because this is making me a tad nervous…
Elizabeth
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Creating a system of inequalities based on each student’s daily recommended allotment of nutritional value has become more of a content based exercise but a personal investigation about their nutritional intake. The outcome is already tremendous as now students seem to be debating and considering the quantity and quality of what they eat with the amount of energy they utilize. Project-based learning can do some to enhance learning. You must have enjoyed listening to their feedback and making you contribution.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck!
K. Kerr
Hi Elizabeth,
ReplyDeleteYou are nervous about this project? It seems like you have placed more than enough energy on this project which is good. It is natural that teacher feel nervous especially when they have introduced a new project that involves much planning and consistent analysis. However, rest assured that whatever the outcome whether positive or negative, students will realize it is a learning progress and that while some aspect of the project may apply to some students it may not apply to others. I really wish you all the best there is no need to panic.
I like the idea of allowing students to correct their own work in their journals by using tutorials or online self-help sites; it’s such a wonderful way for them to monitor their own learning. How will assist students who may have difficulties? Will you provide them with suggestive manageable sites for them to do the reading and then applying their knowledge?
I have students working in small groups to aid in assisting students who may have difficulties. We have discussed using the internet to research tools for completing the project before the resort to asking me for help. I am trying to foster their independent learning and collaborative problem solving skills with little intervention from myself. I hope to show students how to find answers to their own questions. Thank you for your post!
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